Buckle

ABSTRACT

The present application relates to a buckle, and includes a main component and a transparent component detachably attached onto the main component by locks. The transparent component can be provided on a rear side thereof with a pattern DIY by the user. Alternatively, said buckle has an additional laminate which can be inserted between the transparent component and the main component and the additional laminate has a pattern DW by the user.

This application is directed to a buckle and is based upon ChinesePatent Application No. 200620005027.0, filed on Jan. 28, 2006, to whichpriority is claimed. The entire disclosure and contents thereof areherein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a buckle, more particularly, to abuckle with a transparent laminate.

2. Background Art

Buckles are known for being used in many different ways, including forpacks, luggage, apparel, footwear, sporting gear, outdoor gear and thelike, whether it is made by plastic or metal. Traditional buckles can bea stand-alone part or a component comprising at least a male part and afemale part. For example, in Chinese patent No. ZL 200430001400.1, thebuckle is a stand-alone component. In Chinese patent No. ZL200330100785.2 and Chinese patent No. ZL 02305054.3, a componentcomprising a male part and a female part is introduced. The function ofbuckles is known for fastening the opening of a pack or apparel, or fortightening the strap or cord and the like. However, the skin pattern ofa traditional buckle conventionally cannot be changed by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a buckle, which comprises a maincomponent, said buckle further comprising a transparent componentdetachably attached onto the main component by locks. Said transparentcomponent can be provided on a rear side thereof with a pattern DIY (doit yourself) by the user. Alternatively, said buckle has an additionallaminate which can be inserted between the transparent component and themain component and said additional laminate has a pattern DW by theuser.

In view of the above-mentioned requirement, the present invention isdirected to providing a buckle with a laminate cover which is detachablyattached onto the buckle and is easily detached from the buckle so as toallow the purpose of applying a skin pattern to the buckle and changingthe skin pattern thereof to be achieved.

Particularly, the present invention provides a buckle comprising a maincomponent, wherein the buckle further comprises a transparent componentwhich is detachably attached onto the main component by locks.

The main component can be a stand-alone part or comprise at least a malepart and a female part. The transparent component is a laminate shapedin a curve or a plane. The lock is a female element or a male elementadapted to engage with a corresponding engaging element or an engaginglocation on the main component. The transparent component is providedwith a pattern on a rear side thereof.

Alternatively, an additional laminate having a pattern thereon isinserted between the transparent component and the main component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of the present invention in an assembled condition;

FIG. 3 is another exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an additional exploded view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a buckle according to the present invention. The bucklecomprises a main component 1, which is either a stand-alone part or acomponent including at least a male part 2 and a female part 3.

The buckle further comprises a transparent component 4, which isdetachably attached onto the main component 1. The transparent componentis a plastic laminate, wherein said transparent component 4 can beprovided on a rear side thereof with plating or an add-on patternrequired or preferred by the user and DIY by the user, and saidtransparent component 4 is preferably made of plastic or any othertransparent material.

As shown in FIG. 3, a transparent component 4 according to the presentinvention is detachably attached onto the main component 1 by lockingelements 7, 8, 9, 10. The locking elements 7,8,9,10 can be femaleelements or male elements adapted to engage with engaging elements orengaging locations 11, 12, 13, 14 of the main component 1 so as to befitted onto the main component 1 by way of locking, snapping, anddetachable connections or the like.

In addition, an additional laminate 5 can be provided according to thepresent invention. The additional laminate 5 is insertable between thetransparent component 4 and the main component 1. Alternatively, theadditional laminate 5 can be DIY by the user so that said additionallaminate 5 can be replaced several times when the transparent componentis detached.

1. A buckle comprising; a main component, wherein said buckle furthercomprises a transparent component, which is detachably attached onto themain component by a plurality of locks.
 2. A buckle according to claim1, wherein said main component comprises a stand-alone component.
 3. Abuckle according to claim 1, wherein said main component comprises atleast one male part and one female part.
 4. A buckle according to claim1, wherein said transparent component comprises a laminate.
 5. A buckleaccording to claim 4, wherein said laminate is shaped so as to have acurved shape or a planar shape.
 6. A buckle according to claim 1,wherein said locks comprise female elements or male elements.
 7. Abuckle according to claim 1, wherein said main component is providedwith engaging elements or engaging locations thereon to engage with saidlocks.
 8. A buckle according to claim 1, wherein said transparentcomponent is provided on a rear side thereof with a pattern.
 9. A buckleaccording to claim 1, wherein said buckle further comprises anadditional laminate inserted between said transparent component and saidmain component.
 10. A buckle according to claim 9, wherein saidadditional laminate is provided with a pattern thereon.